Hydrocarbon accumulation conditions and exploration targets of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Southeastern Sichuan Basin

No breakthrough has been made in petroleum exploration of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin as the major factors controlling the hydrocarbon accumulation of the Dengying Formation have not been well established,including the development period and distribution of the platform margin,the effectiveness of the source-reservoir combination and the reliability of the Cambrian pre-salt structural trap.Based on the interpretation of seismic data and hydrocarbon-source correlation,the distribution of the platform margin of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin was mapped.Moreover,the gas source rocks of the Dengying Formation were clarified according to geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions,and the pre-salt structures were further confirmed by seismic forward modeling and experiments of prestack depth migration.Results showed that the sedimentary facies of the 4th member of Dengying Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin was platform margin of gentle slope type.The platform margin reservoir of the Dengying Formation and the Lower Cambrian source rocks constitute a favorable source-reservoir combination.The carbon isotope characteristics of gas in fluid inclusions indicate that some of the oil/gas in the Dengying Formation were contributed by the Doushantuo Formation source rocks.As the difference in seismic velocities between carbonate rocks and gypsum/salt beds may cause a reduction in the amplitude of pre-salt structures,the low-amplitude structures identified on current seismic profiles are underestimated instead of overestimated.Accordingly,the Sinian structural traps are confirmed to develop in the deep pre-salt sequences in the low-steep anticline belt,southeastern Sichuan Basin.On the basis of the above new understanding,we propose two types of hydrocarbon migration modes for the Sinian Dengying Formation in southeastern Sichuan Basin,including lateral migration of hydrocarbons generated from the Cambrian Qiongzusi Formation and vertical migration of hydrocarbons derived from the Sinian Doushantuo Formation.Lithologic traps at the platform margin and pre-salt structural traps within the platform are favorable targets for natural gas exploration.

Discovery of lacustrine shale deposits in the Yanshan Orogenic Belt,China: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration

The mechanism of formation of lacustrine deposits within stable orogenic belts and their potential for shale oil and gas exploration are frontier themes of challenge in the fields of sedimentology and petroleum exploration. Orogenic belts witness strong tectonic activities and normally cannot host stable lacustrine basins and deep shale formations. Therefore, basins in orogenic belts are considered to have no potential to form shale hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we investigate the Luanping Basin located in the Yanshan orogenic belt where previous studies regarded rivers and fan deltas as the major main Mesozoic deposits. Based on detailed field exploration and scientific drilling, we report the finding of a large number of lacustrine shale continental deep-water deposits in the Mesozoic strata. Our finding of the occurrence of active shale oil and gas also in this basin also subvert the previous perceptions.We report SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age that define the bottom boundary of the target interval as 127.6 ± 1.7 Ma belonging to the early Cretaceous strata. Tectonics and climate are considered to be the main factors that controlled the deep-water sedimentation during this period. The drill cores revealed evidence of shale gas and the TOC of shale is 0.33%–3.60%, with an average value of 1.39% and Ro is 0.84%–1.21%, with an average value of 1.002%. The brittleness index of shale is between 52.7% and 100%. After vertical well fracturing, the daily gas production is more than 1000 m^(3). Our findings show that the basin has considerable potential for shale oil and gas. The geological resources of the shale gas in the Xiguayuan Fm. are estimated as 1110.12 × 10^(8) m^(3), with shale oil geological resources of 3340.152 × 10^(4) t. Our findings indicate that the Yanshan orogenic belt has potential exploration prospect. This work not only redefines the Luanping Basin as a rift deep-water Mesozoic Lake Basin, but also rules out the previous notion that the basin is dominated by shallow water sediments. The discovery of shale oil and gas also provides an important reference for subsequent petroleum exploration and development in this basin. Our study shows that shale oil and gas reservoirs can be found in the lacustrine basins of orogenic belts which were strongly influenced by volcanism. These results have significant implications for the sedimentology and oil exploration in the Qinling and Xingmeng Orogenic Belts of China, as well as those in other terranes of the world including the New England Orogenic Belt in Australia.

Characterization of favorable lithofacies in tight sandstone reservoirs and its significance for gas exploration and exploitation: A case study of the 2nd Member of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area, Sichuan Basin

By using core,logging curves,and experiment data,favorable lithofacies types in the 2 nd Member of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area,Sichuan Basin were classified,standard of the favorable lithofacies was established,planar distribution regularities of the favorable lithofacies were identified,and forming mechanisms of the favorable lithofacies and their control effect on production were examined.(1)The 2 nd Member of Xujiahe Formation has twelve types of lithofacies,among which multiple layer medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,parallel bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,massive bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,inclined bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,and charcoal-bearing medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies with better physical properties and higher gas content are favorable lithofacies;they feature low gamma,low neutron porosity,low resistivity,and high acoustic travel time on logging curves.(2)The sedimentary process controls spatial distribution of sand bodies which are the material basis of the favorable lithofacies;post diagenetic fluids would differentially reconstruct the favorable lithofacies;tectonic activities and abnormal formation pressure made strata slide along the weakness plane,giving rise to fractures in different types of rocks,which can enhance the reservoir permeability significantly.(3)The development degree of favorable lithofacies is a major factor affecting stable production of gas well.

Geological characteristics and models of fault-foldfracture body in deep tight sandstone of the second member of Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang structural belt of Sichuan Basin,SW China

In the second member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(T_(3)x_(2))in the Xinchang area,western Sichuan Basin,only a low percent of reserves has been recovered,and the geological model of gas reservoir sweet spot remains unclear.Based on a large number of core,field outcrop,test and logging-seismic data,the T_(3)x_(2) gas reservoir in the Xinchang area is examined.The concept of fault-fold-fracture body(FFFB)is proposed,and its types are recognized.The main factors controlling fracture development are identified,and the geological models of FFFB are established.FFFB refers to faults,folds and associated fractures reservoirs.According to the characteristics and genesis,FFFBs can be divided into three types:fault-fracture body,fold-fracture body,and fault-fold body.In the hanging wall of the fault,the closer to the fault,the more developed the effective fractures;the greater the fold amplitude and the closer to the fold hinge plane,the more developed the effective fractures.Two types of geological models of FFFB are established:fault-fold fracture,and matrix storage and permeability.The former can be divided into two subtypes:network fracture,and single structural fracture,and the later can be divided into three subtypes:bedding fracture,low permeability pore,and extremely low permeability pore.The process for evaluating favorable FFFB zones was formed to define favorable development targets and support the well deployment for purpose of high production.The study results provide a reference for the exploration and development of deep tight sandstone oil and gas reservoirs in China.

A CO_(2) storage potential evaluation method for saline aquifers in a petroliferous basin

According to the requirements for large-scale project implementation, a four-scale and three-level CO_(2)storage potential evaluation method is proposed for saline aquifers in a petroliferous basin in China, considering geological,engineering and economic factors. The four scales include basin scale, depression scale, play scale and trap scale, and the three levels include theoretical storage capacity, engineering storage capacity, and economic storage capacity. The theoretical storage capacity can be divided into four trapping mechanisms, i.e. structural & stratigraphic trapping, residual trapping, solubility trapping and mineral trapping, depending upon the geological parameters, reservoir conditions and fluid properties in the basin. The engineering storage capacity is affected by the injectivity, storage security pressure, well number, and injection time.The economic storage capacity mainly considers the carbon pricing yield, drilling investment, and operation cost, based on the break-even principle. Application of the method for saline aquifer in the Gaoyou sag of the Subei Basin reveals that the structural & stratigraphic trapping occupies the largest proportion of the theoretical storage capacity, followed by the solubility trapping and the residual trapping, and the mineral trapping takes the lowest proportion. The engineering storage capacity and the economic storage capacity are significantly lower than the theoretical storage capacity when considering the constrains of injectivity, security and economy, respectively accounting for 21.0% and 17.6% of the latter.

Sequence architecture and sedimentary characteristics of a Middle Jurassic incised valley,western Sichuan depression,China

The Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation encompasses tens of meters of thick lowstand meandering valley(LMV) strata in the western Sichuan foreland basin. Ancient LMVs newly discovered in this area were further studied based on sequence stratigraphy and seismic sedimentology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the sedimentary characteristics,sequence architecture, and the controls on LMV deposition in this tectonically active basin using field survey data, seismic sections, seismic amplitude imaging, core description, and comprehensive application of drilling data. The results show the following:(1) Three regional sequence boundaries and two flooding surfaces were recognized, and the Shaximiao Formation was divided into two-third-order sequences and four systems tracts.(2) Three sedimentary facies associations were identified: incised valley-fill, tributary channel, and overbank facies. Incised valleys are 5–17 km wide, 20–60 m deep and traceable for 120 km along their axes.(3) In the downstream segment, the role of tectonism gradually diminishes, and periodic base-level changes control the form and evolution of the incised valleys. Three types of LMVs—A1, A2, and A3—developed with changes in base level(lake level); of these types, the base level of the A3 LMV was likely the lowest.

Formation, preservation and connectivity control of organic pores in shale

In view of strong heterogeneity and complex formation and evolution of organic pores,field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),Raman spectrum and fluid injection+CT/SEM imaging technology were used to study the macerals,organic pores and connectivity of organic pores in the lower Paleozoic organic-rich shale samples from Southern China.Combined with the mechanism of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion and pore forming mechanism of organic matter-based activated carbon,the relationships between organic pore development and the organic matter type,hydrocarbon generation process,diagenesis and pore pressure were explored to reveal the controlling factors of the formation,preservation and connectivity of organic pores in shale.(1)The generation of organic pores goes on through the whole hydrocarbon generation process,and is controlled by the type,maturity and decomposition of organic matter;the different hydrocarbon generation components and differential hydrocarbon-generation evolution of kerogen and solid asphalt lead to different pore development characteristics;organic pores mainly develop in solid bitumen and hydrogen-rich kerogen.(2)The preservation of organic pores is controlled by maturity and diagenesis,including the steric hindrance effect of in-situ hydrocarbon retention,rigid mineral framework formed by recrystallization,the coupling mechanism of pore-fluid pressure and shale brittleness-ductility transition.(3)The Ro of 4.0%is the maturity threshold of organic pore extinction,the shale layers with Ro larger than 3.5%have high risk for shale gas exploration,these shale layers have low gas contents,as they were in an open state before uplift,and had high hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and strong aromatization,thus having the"congenital deficiency"of high maturity and pore densification.(4)The pores in the same organic matter particle have good connectivity;and the effective connectivity between different organic matter pores and inorganic pores and fractures depends on the abundance and distribution of organic matter,and development degree of pores and fractures in the shale;the accumulation,preservation and laminar distribution of different types of organic matter in high abundance is the prerequisite for the development and connection of organic pores,grain margin fractures and bedding fractures in reservoir.

Development of unconventional gas and technologies adopted in China

This study analyses the geological characteristics and development progress of unconventional gas in China,summarizes the development theories and technologies,discusses the prospects and challenges of unconventional gas development,and puts forward the future trends of development technologies.Various technologies of unconventional gas development are available in China.Shale gas development technologies include comprehensive geological evaluation,volume fracturing of cluster horizontal wells under complex stress conditions,and factory-like operation of horizontal wells in complex mountainous area et al.Tight gas development technologies include fluid identification and quantitative prediction,optimization of well patterns,multi-layer fracturing in vertical well,staged fracturing in horizontal well,and drainage gas recovery.Coalbed methane(CBM)development technologies include the prediction of medium-high-and medium-low-rank CBM enrichment areas,rate-variable hydraulic fracturing,and quantitative drainage recovery with five stages,three pressures,and four controls.For economic and effective development of unconventional gas,further efforts should be made.First,intensified studies should be conducted on high-precision prediction and fine characterization technologies of high-quality shale reservoirs in deep marine,continental,and transitional facies.Second,key theories and technologies such as fast drilling and completion of wells with long laterals as well as large-scale volume fracturing should be developed to improve well productivity.Third,new technologies such as multiple well-type development,fluid injection,and nano-flooding should be developed to enhance the recovery.Fourth,effort should be made to identify the accumulation mechanism and large-scale effective development technologies for CBM.Fifth,the application of large amounts of data and artificial intelligence in the entire process of unconventional gas development should be considered to reduce the development cost.

Nuclear magnetic resonance experimental study of CO_(2) injection to enhance shale oil recovery

Factors affecting CO_(2) flooding of shale oil reservoir were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) experiments, the effects of time, pressure, temperature on the recovery of CO_(2) flooding in shale oil reservoir were analyzed based on nuclear magnetic resonance T2 spectrum, and the effect of fracture development degree on recovery of CO_(2) flooding in shale oil reservoir was analyzed based on NMR images. In the process of CO_(2) flooding, the recovery degree of the shale oil reservoir gradually increases with time. With the rise of pressure, the recovery degree of the shale oil reservoir goes up gradually. With the rise of temperature, the recovery degree of shale oil increases first and then decreases gradually. For CO_(2) flooding in matrix core, the crude oil around the core surface is produced in the initial stage, with recovery degree going up rapidly;with the ongoing of CO_(2) injection, the CO_(2) gradually diffuses into the inside of core to produce the oil, and the increase of recovery degree slows down gradually. For CO_(2) flooding in matrix core with fractures, in the initial stage, the oil in and around the fractures are produced first, and the recovery degree goes up fast;with the extension of CO_(2) injection time, CO_(2) diffuses into the inside of the core from the fractures and the core surface to produce the oil inside the core, and the increase of recovery degree gradually slows down. Fractures increase the contact area between injected CO_(2) and crude oil, and the more the fractures and the greater the evaluation index of fractures, the greater the recovery degree of shale oil will be.

A training image optimization method in multiple-point geostatistics and its application in geological modeling

Based on the analysis of the high-order compatibility optimization method proposed by predecessors, a new training image optimization method based on data event repetition probability is proposed. The basic idea is to extract the data event contained in the condition data and calculate the number of repetitions of the extracted data events and their repetition probability in the training image to obtain two statistical indicators, unmatched ratio and repeated probability variance of data events. The two statistical indicators are used to characterize the diversity and stability of the sedimentary model in the training image and evaluate the matching of the geological volume spatial structure contained in data of the well block to be modeled. The unmatched ratio reflects the completeness of geological model in training image, which is the first choice index. The repeated probability variance reflects the stationarity index of geological model of each training image, and is an auxiliary index. Then, we can integrate the above two indexes to achieve the optimization of training image. Multiple sets of theoretical model tests show that the training image with small variance and low no-matching ratio is the optimal training image. The method is used to optimize the training image of turbidite channel in Plutonio oilfield in Angola. The geological model established by this method is in good agreement with the seismic attributes and can better reproduce the morphological characteristics of the channels and distribution pattern of sands.

Evolution and controlling factors of the gravity flow deposits in the Miocene sequence stratigraphic framework,the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin,West Africa

To understand the evolution of the Miocene gravity flow deposits in the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin,this paper documents the Miocene sequence stratigraphic framework,the depositional characteristics and the controlling factors of the gravity flow system.Based on the establishment of high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework,lithofacies characteristics and sedimentary units of the gravity flow deposits in the region are identified by using seismic,well logging and core data comprehensively,and the sedimentary evolution process is revealed and the controlling factors are discussed.The Miocene can be divided into four 3 rd-order sequences(SQ1-SQ4).The gravity flow deposits mainly include siliciclastic rock and pelite.The main sedimentary units include slumping deposits,mass transport deposits(MTD),channel fills,levee-overbank deposits,and frontal lobes.In the Early Miocene(SQ1),mainly gull-wing,weakly restricted to unrestricted depositional channel-overbank complexes and lobes were formed.In the early Middle Miocene(SQ2),W-shaped and weakly restricted erosional-depositional channels(multi-phase superposition)were subsequently developed.In the late Middle Miocene(SQ3),primarily U-shaped and restricted erosional channels were developed.In the Late Miocene(SQ4),largely V-shaped and deeply erosional isolated channels were formed in the study area.Climate cooling and continuous fall of the sea level made the study area change from toe of slope-submarine plain to lower continental slope,middle continental slope and finally to upper continental slope,which in turn affected the strength of the gravity flow.The three times of tectonic uplifting and climate cooling in the West African coast provided abundant sediment supply for the development of gravity flow deposits.Multistage activities of salt structures played important roles in redirecting,restricting,blocking and destroying the gravity flow deposits.Clarifying the characteristics,evolution and controlling factors of the Miocene gravity flow deposits in the Lower Congo-Congo Fan Basin can provide reference for deep-water petroleum exploration in this basin.

Hydrocarbon Generation Characteristics of Source Rocks from Different Saline Environments in the Dongpu Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

The Dongpu Depression is a secondary salt-bearing tectonic unit in the Bohai Bay Basin,eastern China.The depositional environment of this depression regarding its Paleogene strata is clearly different in plane,including the saltwater environment(SE)in the north,the freshwater environment(FE)in the south and the brackish water environment(BE)in the middle.The result of oil and gas exploration in the Dongpu Depression shows that more than 90%of the proven oil reserves are distributed in the northern saltwater environment.Previous studies indicate that the organic geochemistry characteristics and the hydrocarbon generation capacity of the source rocks are very clearly diverse under different environments,which results in the significant differences in the proved reserves between the north and the south.In order to further explore the differences in the hydrocarbon generation capacity of the source rocks under distinct depositional environments and the mechanism of their occurrence,three samples from different depositional environments(W18-5 for SE,H7-18 for BE,CH9 for FE)were used for confined gold tube pyrolysis experiments.The results show that the CH4 yields of W18-5,H7-18 and CH9 increase with increasing temperature,the maximum yields being 405.62 mg/g TOC,388.56 mg/g TOC and 367.89 mg/g TOC,respectively.The liquid hydrocarbon yields of W18-5,H7-18 and CH9 firstly increase with increasing temperature and then decrease after the critical temperatures.The maximum yields of C6-14 are 149.54 mg/g TOC,140.18 mg/g TOC and 116.94 mg/g TOC,the maximum yields of C14+being 852.4 mg/g TOC,652.6 mg/g TOC and 596.41 mg/g TOC,respectively for W18-5,H7-18 and CH9.To summarize,the order of hydrocarbon potential from high to low is W18-5,H7-18 and CH9.On this basis,through analyzing the influencing factors of hydrocarbon differences,this paper reveals that the saltwater environment is characterized by 4 factors:higher salinity,halophilic algae,high paleo-productivity and a strongly reducing environment,which are beneficial to the enrichment of organic matter and lead to the formation of high levels of sapropelite and exinite.According to the variation of oil and gas components in the pyrolysis experiments,the hydrocarbon generation process is divided into three stages:kerogen cracking,oil cracking and C2-5 cracking.Combined with hydrocarbon generation characteristics and stages,the evolutionary model of hydrocarbon generation for source rocks under different environments is established.

A new understanding of Jurassic provenance and sedimentary framework in northwestern Sikeshu Sag, Junggar Basin, China

For a basin or sag with low exploration maturity,the understanding of its provenance system and clastic distribution system is the key to the analysis of its sedimentary framework and further influence the decision making and deployment of exploration.This study analyzed the Jurassic provenance of the Sikeshu Sag based on the data from cores,well logging,and seismic survey.The analysis of seismic profile characteristics revealed that there is a remote possibility that the Chepaizi Uplift in the northern part serves as the main Jurassic provenance of the Sikeshu Sag.On the contrary,systematic indicative signs of provenance have developed in the study area,including west-to-east progradational reflection config-urations and composite mounded reflections that show bi-directional downlapping contact in both the south and north directions.These systematic indicative signs suggest that the denuded uplift area in the western part is the main Jurassic provenance in the study area.Controlled by the provenance in the western part,the study area shows an orderly distribution of paleosedimentary systems from west to east and from shallow to deep water.The paleosedimentary system mainly exhibits the following characteristics after undergoing later high-intensity transformation.(1)The western part is dominated by the subfacies of a braided river delta front and is composed of three microfacies including distributary channels,interdistributary bays,and sandbars;(2)The middle and eastern parts show a semi-deep lacustrine environment,where debris flow sedimentary systems of slumping origin or in deep can-yons,gullies and channels connected to the denudation area developed from west to east.These debris flow sedimentary systems jointly form the clastic sedimentary system under the control of western provenance.

Global Oil and Gas M&A in 2021 and Its Prospect

Overview of global oil and gas M&A in 2021.In 2021,under the combined influence of factors such as the resurgence of COVID-19 all over the world and the failure of OPEC+to reach a production agreement,WTI and Brent,two international benchmark oil prices,showed an overall volatile upward trend.They climbed from US$50/bbl at the beginning of the year to the peak of approximately US$90/bbl,an increase of more than 70%and recording a high level in the past seven years,and stayed at around US$75/bbl at the end of the year,driving a strong rebound in the global oil and gas M&A activity.

New horizons in energy geoscience

Energy is the driving force of universe.Energy released by chemotropic and/or phototropic reactions is considered to have driven the formation of primitive life on the early Earth.The dynamic Earth,the only planet so far recognized with horizontal motion of lithospheric plates and plate tectonics,provides the best example for the interaction of various forms of energy from different sources which made this planet habitable.The ever-increasing energy needs of the modern society has led to the identification,exploration,and exploitation of various forms of conventional and unconventional energy sources as well as the development of advanced techniques and tools.Although there are several established publications that cover various topics of energy,a common platform to address and integrate all aspects of the planet's energy sources,their exploration and development,utilization,and economic and social implications is lacking.With this objective,we launch our new journal“Energy Geoscience”(ENGEOS)to cover a broad spectrum of topics catering to a large segment of scientific community who are interested in various aspects of natural energy.

Sedimentary characteristics of turbidite fan and its implication for hydrocarbon exploration in Lower Congo Basin

The turbidite is favorable for accumulation of oil and gas and it is the most important reservoir in the deepwater area of West Africa.Currently,some commercial discoveries in such the deepwater area generally belong to turbidite sandstone reservoirs.Based on comprehensive analysis of lithology,lithofacies and configuration of the turbidite,and combined with changes of seismic attributes and sedimentary cycle,the turbidite in the deepwater area of West Africa can be classified into by-pass channel(including the constructive by-pass channel and the erosive by-pass channel),confined channel complex,weakly confined channel complex,and lobe.Different types of turbidite reservoirs have different physical property,so there are differences in hydrocarbon exploration potential;the sandstone in the weakly confined channel complex is the key exploration target in the deepwater area of the Angola Sea.

Research advances in the formation poredynamics of sedimentary basins

In the 21st century,the geodynamics is developing towards quantitative researches.However,due to the irreversible geological processes,it was very difficult to recover the geological process.In particular,the restoration of geological parameter evolution process at the microscopic scale has become a major scientific problem in geology presently.Thereby,a concept of the formation poredynamics is revised and proposed,and the formation poredynamics is a fundamental discipline which focus on the mechanical characteristic of porous media,the pore evolution law,the dynamic genesis and the seepage property of pore fluid during the burial process of clastic rocks.Moreover,it is a new interdiscipline of underground diagenetic dynamics and pore fluid dynamics,and also is as an important part of sedimentary basin dynamics.Research advances were made in both basic theory and applied research.The advances in the basic theory include:(1)the static equilibrium principle of the formation pore,(2)the porosity evolution mechanism and quantitative model of sandstone during the burial diagenetic process,(3)the compaction characteristic and the porosity evolution quantitative model of mudstone,(4)the theoretical relationship between the underground pore fluid temperature and the pore fluid pressure,(5)the influence of the tectonism-induced additional geostress on the pore fluid pressure,and(6)the relationship between the mudstone compaction and the vitrinite reflectance(R_(o))of organic matter.The advances in the applied research include:(1)the geotemperature-geopressure system division of the sedimentary basin and the interpretation of the hydrocarbon distribution dynamic,(2)the modification of the strata pressure prediction model,(3)the construction of the reservoir critical properties and the reservoir dynamics evaluation system,(4)the simulation of the evolution process of the formation fluid pressure,(5)the numerical simulation and physical experimental simulation on the sandstone hydrocarbon charging dynamics,and(6)the dynamic process analysis of the hydrocarbon accumulation in tight sandstone.Through the integration between the pore genesis evolution and the pore fluid dynamic evolution,the formation poredynamics is one of the representative discipline branches that the geological dynamics research had developed toward the underground microscopic scale in recently 20 years,and it also is an inevitable result from the quantitative development of the formation and distribution mechanisms of sedimentary mineral deposits.Based on the formation poredynamics research,eight important research achievements are summarized,and the geological researches are extended from the macroscopic scale to the microscopic scale,to find out the pore parameter evolution law under control of the formation pore evolution during the burial process,and update and improve exploration and production application technologies.

Geoscience knowledge graph in the big data era

Since the beginning of the 21 st century,the geoscience research has been entering a significant transitional period with the establishment of a new knowledge system as the core and with the drive of big data as the means.It is a revolutionary leap in the research of geoscience knowledge discovery from the traditional encyclopedic discipline knowledge system to the computer-understandable and operable knowledge graph.Based on adopting the graph pattern of general knowledge representation,the geoscience knowledge graph expands the unique spatiotemporal features to the Geoscience knowledge,and integrates geoscience knowledge elements,such as map,text,and number,to establish an all-domain geoscience knowledge representation model.A federated,crowd intelligence-based collaborative method of constructing the geoscience knowledge graph is developed here,which realizes the construction of high-quality professional knowledge graph in collaboration with global geo-scientists.We also develop a method for constructing a dynamic knowledge graph of multi-modal geoscience data based on in-depth text analysis,which extracts geoscience knowledge from massive geoscience literature to construct the latest and most complete dynamic geoscience knowledge graph.A comprehensive and systematic geoscience knowledge graph can not only deepen the existing geoscience big data analysis,but also advance the construction of the high-precision geological time scale driven by big data,the compilation of intelligent maps driven by rules and data,and the geoscience knowledge evolution and reasoning analysis,among others.It will further expand the new directions of geoscience research driven by both data and knowledge,break new ground where geoscience,information science,and data science converge,realize the original innovation of the geoscience research and achieve major theoretical breakthroughs in the spatiotemporal big data research.

Hydrocarbon accumulation in deep water areas of Angola in West Africa

Through comprehensive analysis of source rocks and hydrocarbon geochemical data of several offshore blocks in Angola,two sets of source rocks in the Cretaceous Iabe Formation and Lower Oligocene Malembo Formation are developed in the suprasalt structures in deep water area.The source rocks in the Cretaceous Iabe Formation is dominated by Type I kerogen,while the source rocks in the Lower Oligocene Malembo Formation is dominated by Type IIeIII kerogen which mainly generate gas.In the extensional zone,the source rocks in the Malembo Formation are mature and the source rocks in the Iabe Formation are post-matured;this zone undergo multi-stage filling,and the Oligocene paleoreservoirs experience high-temperature pyrolysis to form gas reservoirs;the Upper Miocene reservoirs undergo biodegradation due to poor storage condition.In the transitional zone,oil and gas in the drape anticline area are mainly from the Iabe Formation,and it mix with a small amount of oil and gas from the Malembo Formation in the later stage.In the compression zone,the crude oil is from the Iabe Formation at the mature stage,and contains a small amount of dissolved gas generated by thermal degradation.

Analysis and optimization of energy flow in the full chain of carbon dioxide capture and oil recovery

CO_(2) capture is a process with a high energy consumption,and its large-scale implementation should be based on comprehensive analysis of its impact on the energy,economy,and environment.The process of injecting CO_(2) into existing oil fields is a well-known enhanced oil recovery(CO_(2)-EOR)technique.Using CO_(2) as a working fluid to recover oil can compensate for the energy consumption of the capture and transport processes,increasing the feasibility of CO_(2) capture while achieving carbon sequestration.In this study,a full-chain CO_(2) capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS)system based on the post-combustion capture method is deconstructed and coupled.A full-chain energy consumption calculation software is developed,and optimization analysis of the energy consumption system is conducted.The energy budget of the oil displacement utilization is deconstructed,and the advantages of the water alternating gas(WAG)method are clarified from an energy budget point of view.The analysis reveals that the benefits of CO_(2)-EOR are far greater than the energy consumption of other CCUS processes,and CCUS-EOR is a CO_(2) utilization method with positive energy benefits.Based on the simulation of the effects of N_(2) and CH_(4) on the recovery factor,a multi-well combined injection-production method is proposed,and the reasons for increasing profit are analyzed.